Zhu, Yanqiang

Shen, Shuigen

Wu, Gengbin

The latest bottleneck to confront the Indian healthcare system in scaling up molecular diagnostic testing for Covid-19 is shortage of tools and equipment needed to collect and transport samples called the viral transport mediums (VTM).

A Kerala-based institute has developed a diagnostic test for Covid-19 which it claims can furnish results in less than half the time taken by the method currently being used in the country and for a fraction of its cost — ₹1,000.

These kits, also known as serological testing kits, are not meant for early diagnosis or detection of the disease, said Raman Gangakhedkar, head of the department of epidemiology at the Indian Council of Medical Research.

The Indian Council of Medical Research on Tuesday advised states not to use the new rapid antibody test for Covid-19 from China till further notice after reports emerged that the kits are faulty. “The kits will be tested and validated in the field by our teams.

The department of biotechnology has granted funds to 16 companies for developing drugs, vaccines and devices to fight the Covid-19 pandemic as India looks to speed up the process of tackling the disease.

Patients will swab their own nose using a testing kit sent by the company and will mail it in an insulated package back to the company.

The EIR has been closed with a voluntary action indicated (VAI) classification for the observations, it added. As per the USFDA, a VAI means that objectionable conditions or practices were found, but the agency is not prepared to take or recommend any administrative or regulatory action.

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The move is likely to benefit a large number of Indian nurses and doctors, who are either on H-1B or J2 visas.

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The JV, which is expected to start production by the second quarter of 2015, would utilise Lohia Auto's Kashipur facility in Uttarakhand to manufacture new products.

“Sri Lanka has been a very big market for us. In recent times, we have seen some large volumes out of that market,” Munjal told ET on Monday.

Transport department has agreed to register new models of two-wheelers compliant with BS-III emission norms launched in the capital prior to April 1.

"XPulse (concept) that we showed today is in that (premium) segment. There are other products that are under development currently," Munjal said.

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), an arm of the Jal Shakti Ministry that deal with the rejuvenation programme for the river, had received a number of proposals, including from people and NGOs working on Ganga, to undertake clinical studies for treatment of coronavirus patients with the water, officials said.

"Indian Council of Medical Research has set a target of carrying out around 1 lakh tests across the country per day. For this crucial work, India Post with its vast network of 1,56,000 post offices has once again turned into a COVID warrior," the statement said.

Community transmission is said to happen when a person who has not been in contact with an infected person or travelled to a country where the virus is active tests positive.

Though hospitals have resorted to e-consultations, the increased burden to create capacity to deal with the Covid-19 situation has resulted in huge losses.

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